An alternative volunteer program is our Resident Engineer program. This program allows firefighters to live in one of our stations free of rent in exchange for spending at least 240 hours per month available to respond. Resident Engineers are also responsible for light station maintenance, and keeping the apparatus in the station ready for calls. All potential volunteers are required to provide an application, pass a background check, and complete an interview process, after which you will be invited to join the department or not. The initial time as a volunteer in either program will be spent learning how to be a safe and competent firefighter. As you can imagine, this will take a large time commitment. This training begins with a three weekend Basic Training Academy where you will learn the department’s history, operating guidelines and basic firefighter skills. This is a requirement for all of our new staff whether you have previous firefighting experience or not. A few weeks later you will attend a two weekend Medical First Responder course that will teach basic life-saving skills for EMS calls. The 
third course is a 12 hour Emergency Vehicle Operator Course. This course is a requirement for all new apparatus drivers. If you are an in-district volunteer and want to have emergency warning lights and siren, you must take this course before you’re approved to have them. After these courses are completed you’re on your way to becoming a Redings Mill Fire District Firefighter! Ongoing training is a must. We have several opportunities each week for training. This includes a training session every Tuesday night for volunteers. If you can’t make that training session we repeat that training for our career staff each Wednesday during the morning and afternoon. Can’t make it in person? We have an online training system also, that can help you keep current. Hands-on training is always best, as it allows you to practice as you learn new skills. It is also very important for building trust in each other that we have the physical skills and mental skills to act and think clearly during an emergency response.